'Technology to replace human pilots in civil aircraft exists'

The necessary technologies to replace human pilots in civil aircraft exist and are already being used in the defence sector, an aviation industry expert has said.

Mumbai: The necessary technologies to replace human pilots in civil aircraft exist and are already being used in the defence sector, an aviation industry expert has said.

"Auto-pilot features are highly advanced today. There are several technologies like navigation, computerised controls and satellite guidance to take over every function of a human pilots and completely replace them," said Triple Creek Ranch President and CEO Barbara Barrett at the 'International Conference on Women in Civil Aviation - 2011' here over the weekend.

"Aircraft can be remotely piloted across very long distances now. In fact, human pilots can goof up more than the technology," she said.

"Such technologies are already used in military drones like Predators and Raptors," she added.

Barbara is a former US ambassador to Finland, as well as the first woman to land an F-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier. She has served on the board of US defence contractor Raytheon and is on the board of Rand Foundation at present.

"But pilots are still necessary. Air travellers want a pilot announcing to them and re-assuring them about their flight... It is the psychological factor," she said.

When asked if airlines may be tempted to use such technologies instead of spending money on training pilots, she said: "We cannot tell anything about the future with certainty. The technology certainly exists. Who knows, at some point of time, they may feel that the human interface may no longer be necessary..."

The conference was organised by the Indian Women Pilots' Association (IWPA) to commemorate 100 years of civil aviation in the country. (PTI)